USC Aiken vs. KSU

Deciding between University of South Carolina Aiken and Kennesaw State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • USC Aiken Aiken, SC
  • KSU Kennesaw, GA
  • Setting
  • USC Aiken Rural Fringe
  • KSU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • USC Aiken 4,022
  • KSU 47,764
  • Type
  • USC Aiken Public 4 Year
  • KSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • USC Aiken #819
  • KSU
  • Religious Affiliation
  • USC Aiken -
  • KSU -
  • Status
  • USC Aiken Non-profit
  • KSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • USC Aiken
  • KSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • USC Aiken $10,760
  • KSU $5,808
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • USC Aiken $21,218
  • KSU $17,736
  • Room & Board
  • USC Aiken $9,182
  • KSU $13,287
  • Average Net Price
  • USC Aiken $12,236
  • KSU $15,636
  • Average Grant Aid
  • USC Aiken $8,904
  • KSU $8,223
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • USC Aiken 93%
  • KSU 92%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • USC Aiken 3,005
  • KSU 34,680
  • Admitted
  • USC Aiken 2,360
  • KSU 23,995
  • Acceptance Rate
  • USC Aiken 78.5%
  • KSU 69.2%
  • Enrolled
  • USC Aiken 28.2%
  • KSU 38%
  • Typical SAT score
  • USC Aiken 1100
  • KSU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • USC Aiken 22
  • KSU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • USC Aiken 3.19
  • KSU 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • USC Aiken B+
  • KSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • USC Aiken Moderate
  • KSU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • USC Aiken
  • KSU Low
  • ACT Range
  • USC Aiken 19/26
  • KSU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • USC Aiken 980/1220
  • KSU 1000/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • USC Aiken Required
  • KSU Required
  • Application Deadline
  • USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027
  • KSU Jun 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • USC Aiken 16:1
  • KSU 23:1
  • Popular Majors
  • USC Aiken
    • Business (25%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • KSU

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • USC Aiken 41%
  • KSU -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • USC Aiken $39,600
  • KSU N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • USC Aiken 54%
  • KSU 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • USC Aiken $26,000
  • KSU $21,200
  • Median Loan Payment
  • USC Aiken $268
  • KSU $219

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • USC Aiken 38%
  • KSU 49%
  • % Women
  • USC Aiken 62%
  • KSU 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • USC Aiken High
  • KSU High
  • HBCU
  • USC Aiken No
  • KSU No
  • % White
  • USC Aiken 58%
  • KSU 58%
  • % Asian
  • USC Aiken 1%
  • KSU 4%
  • % Black
  • USC Aiken 27%
  • KSU 20%
  • % Hispanic
  • USC Aiken 4%
  • KSU 9%
  • % Native American
  • USC Aiken 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • USC Aiken 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • USC Aiken 4%
  • KSU 4%
  • % International
  • USC Aiken 4%
  • KSU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • USC Aiken 2%
  • KSU 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • USC Aiken 88%
  • KSU 96%
  • % Out-of-State
  • USC Aiken 10%
  • KSU 1%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • USC Aiken Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • USC Aiken No
  • KSU
  • Meal Plan
  • USC Aiken Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • USC Aiken No
  • KSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • USC Aiken Yes
  • KSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC with Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kennesaw State University is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 4,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of South Carolina Aiken is located in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting); Kennesaw State University is in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kennesaw State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1; Kennesaw State University 23:1.

USC Aiken vs. KSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Aiken or KSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than KSU ($12,236 vs. $15,636).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 30.9% lower than at Kennesaw State University ($9,182 vs. $13,287).
  • University of South Carolina Aiken is 85.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than KSU (about $4,952 more per year; $10,760.00 vs. $5,808.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.6% higher at USC Aiken than at Kennesaw State University (about $3,482 more per year; $21,218.00 vs. $17,736.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than at Kennesaw State University (93% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students is 8.3% larger than aid received by Kennesaw State University students ($8,904 vs. $8,223).

USC Aiken vs. KSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Aiken or KSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between KSU and USC Aiken.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kennesaw State University (1110) is 10 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
  • Incoming USC Aiken students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at KSU (22).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220; Kennesaw State University 1000/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26; Kennesaw State University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Aiken - Required; KSU - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027; KSU Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman KSU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
  • USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than KSU (69.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at USC Aiken vs. 38% at KSU.

USC Aiken vs. KSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Aiken and KSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kennesaw State University graduates have a $4,800 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($21,200 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, KSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($219 vs. $268).
  • More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.